Islingword Street

Husa Chamartín, Madrid

Husa Chamartín, next to Chamartín station in Madrid. Very seventies feel, from the built in and non-functioning radio controls next to the bed, right down to the English racists in the bar, talking about how Asians "will always fuck you over". For once, since they were English and I was offended at the bad impression they were giving of my country, I told them not to be racist rather than just sitting and fuming as I normally would.

Six months ago, I would have said that the Husa Chamartín seemed fated for redevelopment. With the troubles in the Spanish economy, it might take a few years longer.

Not the sort of place you'd want to stay unless, as I am, you're arriving late on a train from Paris.

Two business cards from New York

Two places I really liked in New York:

• Hundred Acres at 38 MacDougal Street in SoHo
• Clinton Street Baking Company at 4 Clinton Street in the Lower East Side.

Ghent

A couple of belated thoughts on Ghent, which was a lovely place and not nearly as touristy as Bruges. Top B&B: Four Corners run by the super-friendly Karin Verhaest. Details at http://www.bedandbreakfast-gent.be Top bar: 't Zuiden van Europa at Vrijdagmarkt 30

Dunster

A good time had by all, despite the torrential rain, at Dunster Castle. Great lunch at the Stag's Head on West Street by the castle entrance. Farmhouse Pie particularly good.

Fine Burger Co.

Grabbed dinner yesterday on the way back through St Pancras at the Fine Burger Co., which is an interesting concept. It's half way between McDonalds and somewhere like Gourmet Burger Kitchen. They sold me a fantastic fresh burger with loads of veg, great chips and a coke, but (unlike GBK) delivered to fast food timescales and in a grab and go setting rather than sit-down. It's very nicely done indeed and will make me very likely to head home via St Pancras on a future occasion when I need a quick bite to eat on the way back from London.

Bagel Delight Bakery, Cricklewood

A bit of a hidden gem this, on the Broadway in Cricklewood near the Crown hotel. Great range of cakes, all very fresh, and good coffee.

Café Pascucci, Clapham Junction

Grabbed breakfast this morning at Café Pascucci on St John's Road near Clapham Junction. Great little Italian cafe with comfortable modern surroundings and fantastic espresso. Their English breakfast was also very good.

National Rail Timetable online

If the fancy takes you, you can now download the entire National Rail Timetable in pdf format from the Network Rail website. Not as easy to use as the web-based journey planners, but good for finding slow routes that wouldn't show up on the web - like the direct Exeter to Brighton trains on Saturday mornings that are as slow as anything but also eliminate changes at Salisbury and Fratton for my mum.

The Crown, Horsham

Two disappointing pub experiences in Horsham this afternoon. The Black Jug - an occasional venue for me after meetings in the office complex nearby - turns out to be one of those sour-faced pubs that doesn't let in children under 10, even into the beer garden. They also make some snotty remark about "well-behaved" children, which makes me want to have a tantrum in their saloon bar.

So we headed on to the Crown, a nicely done up pub on Carfax, where we got super-friendly service and very average food.

Take my tip

Useful PDF guide to the polite amount to tip in various countries is here. (Via a discussion at Word of Mouth).